Resources
Explore a wide range of valuable resources on GCED to deepen your understanding and enhance your research, advocacy, teaching, and learning.
518 Results found
Curriculum development and review for democratic citizenship and human rights education Year of publication: 2015 Author: Felisa Tibbitts Corporate author: Council of Europe Education for democratic citizenship and human rights education (EDC/HRE) are educational areas that contribute fundamentally to our ability to live together in communities, in countries and as neighbours across national borders. They also help to enable a flourishing global community. The wider aim of EDC/HRE is the establishment of sustainable and participative forms of democracy based on respect for human rights and good governance. As such, EDC/HRE is a public good and an ongoing investment for producing societies characterised by human rights principles such as non-discrimination, inclusion and participation, and the rule of law. The central purpose of this resource is to support the development of education policies and curricula in schools that support and promote young people’s participation in democratic life. As such, EDC/HRE is inevitably in an ongoing state of development and review. This resource aims to support the work of education leaders and curriculum developers in integrating EDC/HRE within curriculum systems and to encourage the engagement of stakeholders in supporting such efforts. Élaboration et examen d'un curriculum pour la citoyenneté démocratique et l'éducation aux droits de l'homme Year of publication: 2015 Author: Felisa Tibbitts Corporate author: Conseil de l'Europe La plupart des jeunes grandissent en apprenant les leçons de vie des soins, de la solidarité, de la responsabilité et de la justice en s'engageant quotidiennement auprès des familles, des amis, des écoles et des institutions communautaires. L'éducation à la citoyenneté démocratique et l'éducation aux droits de l'homme (EDC / EDH) sont des domaines éducatifs qui contribuent fondamentalement à notre capacité à vivre ensemble dans les communautés, dans les pays et comme voisins à travers les frontières nationales. Ils aident également à favoriser une communauté mondiale florissante. L'objectif plus large d'EDC / EDH est l'instauration de formes de démocratie durables et participatives fondées sur le respect des droits de l'homme et la bonne gouvernance. À ce titre, l'EDC / EDH est un bien public et un investissement permanent pour des sociétés productrices caractérisées par des principes relatifs aux droits de l'homme tels que la non-discrimination, l'inclusion et la participation et l'état de droit. L'objectif central de cette ressource est d'appuyer l'élaboration de politiques et de programmes éducatifs dans les écoles qui soutiennent et encouragent la participation des jeunes à la vie démocratique. À ce titre, EDC / EDH est inévitablement dans un état de développement et d'examen permanent. Cette ressource vise à appuyer le travail des leaders de l'éducation et des concepteurs de programmes d'études pour intégrer EDC / EDH dans les systèmes curriculaires et encourager l'engagement des parties prenantes à soutenir ces efforts. Разработка и пересмотр учебных программ по воспитанию демократической гражданственности и образованию в области прав человека Year of publication: 2015 Author: Felisa Tibbitts Corporate author: Council of Europe Воспитание демократической гражданственности и образование в об-ласти прав человека необходимы для построения мирного, устойчивого и инклюзивного общеcтва, основанного на уважении прав человека каждой личности. Повышение качества образовательной политики в сфере воспитания демократической гражданственности и образования в области прав человека является важнейшим направлением работы Совета Европы, Организации Объединенных Наций по вопросам образования, науки и культуры, Бюро по демократическим институтам и правам человека Организации по бе-зопасности и сотрудничеству в Европе и Организации американских государств. Эти организации совместно подготовили настоящую публикацию, с тем чтобы оказать поддержку государствам-членам и государствам-участникам в выпол-нении ими своих обязательств, касающихся содействия образованию в области прав человека и демократической гражданственности и улучшения доступа к качественному образованию для всех лиц. Помимо этого, данная публикация является вкладом в глобальную инициативу Генерального секретаря ООН Пан Ги Муна «Образование прежде всего», начатую в 2012 году. Эта инициатива определила содействие воспитанию глобальной гражданственности как один из трех важнейших приоритетов образования, тем самым создав дополнитель-ный стимул для действий в данной области и послав ясный сигнал о поддержке работникам сферы образования во всем мире. 
Higher Education's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Building a More Sustainable and Democratic Future (Council of Europe Higher Education Series; No. 25) Year of publication: 2021 Author: Sjur Bergan | Tony Gallagher | Ira Harkavy | Ronaldo Munck | Hilligje van’t Land Corporate author: Council of Europe Public health was the immediate concern when the Covid-19 pandemic struck in Asia, then in Europe and other parts of the world. The response of our education systems is no less vital. Higher education has played a major role in responding to the pandemic and it must help shape a better, more equitable and just post-Covid-19 world. This book explores the various responses of higher education to the pandemic across Europe and North America, with contributions also from Africa, Asia and South America.The book describes the various ways in which higher education is facing the Covid-19 pandemic. It is designed to help universities, specifically their staff and students as well as their partners, contribute to a more sustainable and democratic future. 
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Student Voice: Findings and Recommendations Year of publication: 2021 Corporate author: UNESCO | Council of Europe The COVID-19 pandemic has had serious consequences on the education of young people and their ability to engage and participate meaningfully. In 2020, UNESCO and the Council of Europe decided to collaborate on a research project with a view to examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student voice and particularly the consequences of the subsequent school closures on student voice opportunities in Europe and in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). This publication details the findings of this study and provides recommendations for school directors and personnel, teachers, educators, policy-makers and young people to build on the lessons learned from the pandemic and help the education community work collectively towards promoting societies that are guided by human rights, with student voice and participation at the centre. It is primarily intended for policy-makers, educators, teachers working in formal school systems. It may also be of interest to professionals working in non-formal education settings or other sectors – namely the justice, social and health sectors – working with student. 
Dialogue for Prevention Year of publication: 2025 Corporate author: UNESCO In an era where geopolitical power struggles disrupt traditional peacebuilding, where identity and misinformation fuel divisions, and where trust in institutions is eroding, UNESCO’s Intercultural Dialogue for Conflict Transformation briefs series presents an adaptable, culturally grounded, and people-centred approach to peacebuilding. With 1.5 billion people living in contexts with low intercultural dialogue where global challenges such as absolute poverty, terrorism and forced displacement are more prevalent, this four-part series draws on firsthand experience, country case studies, and expert analysis to demonstrate the transformative potential of dialogue in fragile and conflict-sensitive settings. The Dialogue for Prevention brief, developed with the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities, explores the powerful role intercultural dialogue can play in preventing large-scale identity-based violence, particularly in the upstream and downstream phases of conflict. Grounded in the idea that dialogue can bridge divides and foster mutual understanding, the brief argues that enabling environments for intercultural dialogue—marked by stability, inclusive governance, freedom of expression, horizontal equality, and social cohesion—also mitigate key risk factors for atrocity violence. Drawing on diverse examples from Cambodia, Colombia, Italy, and Kenya, it showcases creative, context specific applications of dialogue. Through practical guidance, the brief equips policymakers, practitioners and civil society seeking to embed dialogue into prevention strategies. 
Dialogue for Social Cohesion Year of publication: 2025 Author: Isaure Vicarini | Euan Mackway-Jones Corporate author: UNESCO In an era where geopolitical power struggles disrupt traditional peacebuilding, where identity and misinformation fuel divisions, and where trust in institutions is eroding, UNESCO’s Intercultural Dialogue for Conflict Transformation briefs series presents an adaptable, culturally grounded, and people-centred approach to peacebuilding. With 89% of conflicts worldwide occurring in countries with limited capacity for intercultural dialogue, this four-part series draws on firsthand experience, country case studies, and expert analysis to demonstrate the transformative potential of dialogue in fragile and conflict-sensitive settings. The Dialogue for Social Cohesion brief—developed in collaboration with the Berghof Foundation and Search for Common Ground—bridges theory and practice to explore the horizontal (community-to-community) and vertical (citizen-to-state) dimensions of social cohesion and highlights how inclusive dialogue can support both. Case studies from Afghanistan, Germany, Somalia, and South Sudan illustrate how dialogue—whether through theatre, education, local governance, or environmental peacebuilding—can cultivate mutual understanding and trust, bridge identity-based divides, and restore, step by step, the social fabric in fractured societies. Through actionable recommendations, this brief equips practitioners, policymakers, and civil society with the essential guidance needed to tailor and embed dialogue in their respective contexts, helping to ensure that peace processes are inclusive, locally driven, and enduring. 
Mainstreaming the General History of Africa into Education Systems: The Curriculum Pathway Year of publication: 2025 Corporate author: UNESCO Education about the history of Africa in formal, non-formal and informal learning settings continues to be dominated by Eurocentric perspectives, which has led to imbalanced representation of Africa’s history and preconceptions.This publication is a tool to support countries in challenging the skewed perspectives on how African history is taught and how Africa is perceived. It aims to bring to the foreground Africa’s history, cultures and heritage through the curriculum to strengthen knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that contribute towards addressing long-standing hegemonic, colonial thinking and connected racial bias, while forging a united, prosperous and peaceful Africa and world.Stemming from the decolonial vision and content of the volumes of the General History of Africa, the publication proposes guiding principles and approaches for designing and implementing the General History of Africa into the curriculum. It puts forth curriculum outlines for basic and secondary education to offer renewed and broader perspectives on the history of Africa and its diasporas, and their contributions to humanity.The curriculum outlines are structured around nine thematic Learning Units, arranged chronologically from the origins of humanity and civilizations to Africa’s most recent history. 
Research Report: A Comparative Study on Hybrid Learning in Schools Year of publication: 2024 Corporate author: UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE) During the COVID-19 lockdown, policymakers and educators faced an unprecedented challenge disrupting all levels of education. The initial optimism about replacing physical classes with virtual lessons diminished as complex interconnected issues emerged. To address the need for continuous and sustainable learning, school systems implemented variations of hybrid learning during the pandemic, seeking to integrate physical and virtual classes. These approaches prompted this comparative study led by UNESCO-IBE. The initial phase of this study involved collecting and analysing data on hybrid strategies from six countries. The research aimed to examine factors influencing hybrid learning implementation during the lockdown, with a subsequent focus on developing and validating a practical Hybrid Learning Framework for Schools. The cross-case analysis was designed not to rank or compare, but to understand and connect different scenarios and contexts. Phase I focuses on current hybrid learning practices and influencing factors, while Phases II and III will concentrate on using the information gathered to create and validate a Hybrid Learning Framework for Schools. Hybrid learning is not just a response to pandemics but also serves as a viable solution for other scenarios where full school attendance is difficult. Aligned with UNESCO-IBE’s overarching vision of a comprehensive, personalized, and democratized curriculum accessible to all, hybrid learning facilitates inclusive education across diverse regions, overcoming geographical and temporal limitations. The approach aims to unlock the unique potential of every learner, fostering a more flexible educational environment.Published in February 2024 by the UNESCO International Bureau of Education (IBE) with support from the European Union. 
Adult education and development: global citizenship education (no 82, 2015) Year of publication: 2015 Corporate author: DVV International Issue 82/2015 of the international journal Adult Education and Development (AED) explores the topic global citizenship education.In the international debates, we are witnessing a growing interest in the concept of global citizenship education. It is one of the three pillars of the Global Education First Initiative (GEFI) launched by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2012 and is being internationally promoted by the work of UNESCO. According to the GEFI, education that fosters global citizenship “must fully assume its central role in helping people to forge more just, peaceful, tolerant and inclusive societies”. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015, refers to global citizenship as one tool to “ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development”.The ambitions are high, but the concrete understanding of global citizenship education and its implications differ widely. Is it just another abstract concept? What meaning can the word citizenship have if it does not refer to a specific nation? What do people in different parts of the world understand by global citizenship? And how can global citizenship education be put into practice?Adult Education and Development decided to engage in the debate and invited authors from different regions, backgrounds and disciplines to share their thoughts and experiences on the topic and related questions such as identity, migration, peace, the meaning of citizenship, globalisation and sustainable development.Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, explains the organisation’s understanding of global citizenship education, and why adult education and “learning beyond the classrooms” are crucial when it comes to promoting global citizenship. Canadian author and journalist Doug Saunders (“Arrival City: How the Largest Migration in History Is Reshaping Our World”) talks about the challenges and opportunities of what he refers to as the last great human migration, that from the countryside to the cities, and about the positive role adult education can play during this transition.In the section “Citizens’ voices” people from all over the world talk about what global citizenship means to them and in what ways they see themselves as global citizens. And photographer Viktor Hilitksi travelled through Belarus and captured with his camera how villages rediscover their local traditions and cultures.